Table Pedestal c. 1939

This drawing of a Table Pedestal was made by Nicholas Gorid, though we don't know exactly when. Looking at how the color creates the form and grain of the wood, it's clear the artist was deeply engaged with the process of depiction. There’s a sense of patience in the way the brown wash is layered on the tabletop, building up depth and sheen. It's almost as if the artist is carving the table out of the paper itself. The legs especially – they remind me of figurative drawings, the way they subtly curve and taper, ending in delicate claw feet. That kind of focused observation reminds me of the work of furniture designer Charles Rohlfs, who imbued his pieces with a similar sense of organic life and movement. With this drawing, Gorid asks us to slow down and look closely, finding the extraordinary in the everyday. It's a lovely reminder that even the most functional objects can be a source of endless fascination and beauty.